Per Woj: Celtics sign Lonnie Walker (waived)

[blink]

That's actually insane that we kept our team AND basically replaced Svi + Brissett with probably Lonnie Walker and Schierman (draft). Insane. And I liked Brissett btw but Lonnie is a lot better.

Really leaning into the three point shooting philosophy. Might as well play to our strengths.

It seems like he is good at attacking the rim as well

[trickybilly]

Wow. Just wow.

Above average shooting and defense. What. A. Steal.

[celticinorlando]

There is no way Walker doesn?t make this team. He?s a really good bench player that is 25.

[Celtics2021]

There is no way Walker doesn?t make this team. He?s a really good bench player that is 25.

Then why was he unsigned for the entire off-season, and could only get an unguaranteed contract?  Don?t get me wrong, I like the guy.  He is in fact the only NBA player I have ever met, so I am absolutely rooting for him.  But realistically, it is more likely than not he is not on the team opening night.

[Birdman]

Wow what a great signing and cheap?he can be best player off the bench

[Vermont Green]

This article was posted yesterday, before the signing announcement.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/matissa/2024/08/27/a-title-contender-needs-to-sign-lonnie-walker-iv-right-now/

Wow. Basically saying Walker is a poor man?s Derrick White. Maybe he is a better defender than realized.  Seems too good to be true, so it probably isn?t.  What is the catch? 

[Roy H.]

There is no way Walker doesn?t make this team. He?s a really good bench player that is 25.

Then why was he unsigned for the entire off-season, and could only get an unguaranteed contract?  Don?t get me wrong, I like the guy.  He is in fact the only NBA player I have ever met, so I am absolutely rooting for him.  But realistically, it is more likely than not he is not on the team opening night.

I don't know what the odds are, but sometimes quality players slip through.  Derrick Jones, Jr. is a good example from last season.

[celticinorlando]

There is no way Walker doesn?t make this team. He?s a really good bench player that is 25.

Then why was he unsigned for the entire off-season, and could only get an unguaranteed contract?  Don?t get me wrong, I like the guy.  He is in fact the only NBA player I have ever met, so I am absolutely rooting for him.  But realistically, it is more likely than not he is not on the team opening night.

I will glady bet you 10 TPs that he is on the roster opening night.
I also think he will have a role this season on this team.

[Celtics2021]

There is no way Walker doesn?t make this team. He?s a really good bench player that is 25.

Then why was he unsigned for the entire off-season, and could only get an unguaranteed contract?  Don?t get me wrong, I like the guy.  He is in fact the only NBA player I have ever met, so I am absolutely rooting for him.  But realistically, it is more likely than not he is not on the team opening night.

I don't know what the odds are, but sometimes quality players slip through.  Derrick Jones, Jr. is a good example from last season.

Sure, but even Derrick Jones Jr. (who I was begging for all last summer) signed a guaranteed deal.  Walker couldn?t even get that.

[Celtics2021]

There is no way Walker doesn?t make this team. He?s a really good bench player that is 25.

Then why was he unsigned for the entire off-season, and could only get an unguaranteed contract?  Don?t get me wrong, I like the guy.  He is in fact the only NBA player I have ever met, so I am absolutely rooting for him.  But realistically, it is more likely than not he is not on the team opening night.

I will glady bet you 10 TPs that he is on the roster opening night.
I also think he will have a role this season on this team.

I will take that bet and hope you win.

[DefenseWinsChamps]

I'm intrigued by this signing. I wonder if they feel like he has a similar profile to Holiday and White and may have some untapped potential as a defender.

He is a guy on offense that is an aggressive player, which might fit well on the second unit to get open looks for Pritchard and Hauser.

[Roy H.]

There is no way Walker doesn?t make this team. He?s a really good bench player that is 25.

Then why was he unsigned for the entire off-season, and could only get an unguaranteed contract?  Don?t get me wrong, I like the guy.  He is in fact the only NBA player I have ever met, so I am absolutely rooting for him.  But realistically, it is more likely than not he is not on the team opening night.

I don't know what the odds are, but sometimes quality players slip through.  Derrick Jones, Jr. is a good example from last season.

Sure, but even Derrick Jones Jr. (who I was begging for all last summer) signed a guaranteed deal.  Walker couldn?t even get that.

Svi last year?  Non-guaranteed, signed August 31.  Lamar Stevens made the roster, too, and he was a late September signing.

I get your point:  guys signed to non-guaranteed, minimum deals are fringe roster players, and nobody should be surprised if they don't make the team.  But, I'm hopeful, because I think Walker is a rotation-caliber player.

Full disclosure:  I also thought Wenyen Gabriel was a solid signing.

[liam]

If Walker is going to be in the rotation I would think a trade is coming. He looks like a combo of PP and Springer. This could be a nice pickup.

[Kuberski33]

If Walker is going to be in the rotation I would think a trade is coming. He looks like a combo of PP and Springer. This could be a nice pickup.

It certainly gives them flexibility to do something later in the season. Only concern would be when too many guys who can play are sitting on the bench. That can lead to issues. You need guys outside of the rotation who will accept their roles. I'm sure Walker and Springer want to play and advance their careers vs being insurance policies.

[Roy H.]